Unemployment is at record lows in Pennsylvania, which bodes well for finding a job as a vet office manager.
All medical fields are expected to experience a rise over the next 10 years in the number of job openings.
With all the other exceptional pluses that living in the Keystone State offers, such as a fixed rate income tax and no personal property tax, looking for employment in Pennsylvania is an attractive prospect.
Table of Contents
Vet Office Manager Duties in Pennsylvania
Vet office managers perform a vital service at any veterinary practice.
By handling the administrative duties of the practice, they allow the vet and techs to perform the medical duties.
Resolving any staff conflicts is part of the office manager position.
Hiring, training, and retaining staff are big parts of the duties.
Scheduling client appointments and staff keeps the office running smoothly.
Billing, accepting payments, and resolving client issues are part of bookkeeping duties.
Answering the phone and making sure that clients are welcomed keeps things cordial.
Excellent computer skills will come in handy with record keeping.
Ordering office supplies as well as medical supplies is essential.
Being an animal lover makes empathizing with clients and their pets easier.
Good communication and organizational skills as well as being a multitasker are essential.
Licensing Requirements to Become a Vet Office Manager in Pennsylvania
There are no vet office manager licensing requirements in Pennsylvania.
Vet Office Manager Programs in Pennsylvania
Manor College
Manor College offers a four-year Bachelor of Science Veterinary Practice Manager Course.
The college is located in Jenkinsville, PA.
(215) 885-2360
Tuition is $9995 per year plus fees.
Room and board are additional.
Financial aid is available and over 90% of students qualify.
All applicants must have a high school diploma or a GED.
The program’s first two years qualify participants for a VTNE (Veterinary Tech National Exam) exam, which is a certified Veterinary Tech.
After two years, this 84-credit program qualifies for an AS degree.
The BS is 154 credits
Years three and four are all the tools necessary to move into management.
There is a 12-week externship during the sophomore year off campus.
This program combines veterinary with business administration.
Pennsylvania Highlands Community College
In partnership with ed2go, it offers an online vet office manager course.
855-520-5806.
This is a 450-credit course that takes up to 18 months to complete.
The program is open enrollment, so you can start when it is convenient for you.
Students set the pace to complete the course.
A high school degree is preferable but not required.
The cost is $3995.00, including all supplies.
No financial aid is available, but payment plans are offered.
All participants in the course must have a PC.
You can’t use a Mac or a Chromebook.
You must have high-speed internet.
You need QuickBooks Online, Microsoft Office 365, 2021 or 2019, and Adobe Reader.
A personal email account is required.
The PC must have Microsoft 10 or higher.
Browsers Firefox and Chrome are best, but Microsoft Edge works with the course.
The following books are required reading:
- Veterinary Assisting Fundamentals & Applications, 2nd edition, by Beth Vanhorn – eBook
- An Illustrated Guide to Veterinary Medical Terminology, 4th edition, by Janet Amundson Romich – eBook
About a week after enrollment you will receive:
- Bookkeeping for Dummies
- QuickBooks Online software
The first half of the course is dedicated to providing all the information a veterinary assistant needs.
The second half of the course is dedicated to accounting and business management.
The course provides proficiency in Excel introduction, intermediate, and advanced.
Microsoft Word is also taught at introduction, intermediate, and advanced levels.
Tests are given at the end of each level and the end of these parts.
This program prepares graduates to enter the job market as a veterinary office manager.
| School Name | Address |
|---|---|
| Manor College | 700 Fox Chase Rd, Jenkintown, PA 19046, United States |
| Pennsylvania Highlands Community College | 101 Community College Wy, Johnstown, PA 15904, United States |
Salary
The median salary for veterinary office managers in Pennsylvania is $86,210.
The range of salaries is from $64,000 to $110,000, depending on experience and education.
Different areas of the state have different salary levels.
| Location | Avg. Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Allentown | $87,074 |
| Altoona | $79,386 |
| Bethlehem | $87,074 |
| Lancaster | $84,655 |
| Lebanon | $83,878 |
| Erie | $79,818 |
| Philadelphia | $91,220 |
| Scranton | $81,718 |
| Reading | $85,951 |
| Pittsburgh | $85,087 |
Regional Salary in Pennsylvania
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ | 340 | $42,670 | $20.51 | $48,490 | $34,960 |
| Chambersburg-Waynesboro, PA | 50 | $38,780 | $18.64 | $46,650 | $30,260 |
| East Stroudsburg, PA | 90 | $41,470 | $19.94 | $54,710 | $30,240 |
| Erie, PA | 100 | $36,850 | $17.72 | $45,940 | $29,100 |
| Gettysburg, PA | 40 | $41,140 | $19.78 | $46,510 | $33,260 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle, PA | 210 | $42,440 | $20.41 | $53,050 | $31,200 |
| Johnstown, PA | 40 | $37,080 | $17.83 | $47,220 | $28,100 |
| Lancaster, PA | 310 | $43,430 | $20.88 | $51,650 | $31,740 |
| Lebanon, PA | 40 | $39,480 | $18.98 | $47,010 | $30,640 |
| Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, PA-NJ-DE-MD | 2,970 | $47,410 | $22.79 | $62,560 | $36,290 |
| Pittsburgh, PA | 920 | $42,850 | $20.6 | $57,020 | $31,290 |
| Reading, PA | 150 | $42,100 | $20.24 | $48,790 | $31,550 |
| Scranton--Wilkes-Barre--Hazleton, PA | 160 | $40,170 | $19.31 | $54,180 | $30,390 |
| State College, PA | 110 | $39,520 | $19 | $47,160 | $30,330 |
| Williamsport, PA | 40 | $42,590 | $20.48 | $47,540 | $31,210 |
| York-Hanover, PA | 180 | $41,000 | $19.71 | $48,150 | $30,230 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Frequently Asked Questions
How does Pennsylvania compare to other states for salaries for vet office managers?
The salary for vet office managers in Pennsylvania is lower than in Massachusetts, but so is the cost of living.
As a comparison, salaries in Philadelphia are 6% lower than in Boston, but the cost of living in Boston is 33% higher.
What is the best way to get a job in Pennsylvania as a vet office manager?
There are many ways to get a job as a vet office manager.
You can begin as a receptionist or veterinary technician and apply for the office manager job if it opens.
You can go to business school and get a B.A. in Business Administration.
You can take an online course to get the specific courses you need.
How many veterinary practices and pets are there in PA?
With more than 3,000 veterinarians in Pennsylvania, there are plenty of opportunities in all areas of veterinary employment.
While there are some multi-vet practices, that still leaves several thousand practices to offer great jobs.
How to Become a Vet Office Manager by State